Ronnie L. Osborne, Sr. Obituary (1945 - 2020)

Ronnie Lee Osborne, Sr., age 74, of Belding, passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at his home. The son of Lawrence L. & Ruby (Richmond) Osborne, he was born on September 30, 1945 in Jellico, Tennessee. He retired from Gereff Industries, where he worked as a welder, after 30 years of service. Ron enjoyed woodworking including making toys for his grandchildren. He loved music, playing guitar and was a member of the bands Wild Wood Country and Country Connections, he also played with several local bands over the years. Ron was honored to play with Grand Ole Opry stars Dolly Parton, Farron Young, RW Blackwood, Waylon Jennings, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Kitty Wells and Little Jimmy Dickins. His grandkids remember him always willing to pull out his guitar and play then a song. Ron also was a little league coach for several years in Grand Rapids and Belding. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters, Jack Osborne, Carl Osborne, Billie Osborne, Jo Ann Deal, Ben Osborne, Sue Reynolds, and Rosalie Teague; daughters, Annette Ocaronza and Dawn Flores; and grandsons, Jessie Lee Osborne and Jon Ronald Dean. Surviving are his girlfriend, Susan Johnson of Belding; his children, Lisa & Ken Barnum of Kent City, Ronnie Osborne, Jr. of Pierson, Scott Osborne of Belding, Sam & Darla Jo Stapp of Belding, Phil & Autumn Osborne of Greenville, Kelly & Shane Stapp of Greenville, and Brian Stapp of Greenville; twenty-three grandchildren; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan: https://www.dsawm.org/get-involved/donate/ Due to Covid-19 restrictions, private services will be held on Monday, June 1, 2020 with final interment at East Montcalm Cemetery. Chaplain Stephen Shick of Spectrum Health Hospice will officiate.